Читать книгу The Racer Boys; Or, The Mystery of the Wreck онлайн

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“I’ve just got to!” cried Andy, shutting his teeth in grim determination. “The boat will ride all right out here. The wind isn’t quite so bad now. Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Shake!”

The brothers clasped hands. Frank well knew the peril of his undertaking, no less than did Andy. They stood on the heaving, sloping deck of the Gull, and looked into each other’s eyes. They understood.

“Watch close, and pull when you see me wave to you,” ordered the older lad, as he fastened the rope about his waist.

“All right,” answered Andy, in a low voice.

With a quick glance about him, noting that the wounded lad was still struggling feebly in the water, Frank dived overboard. He disappeared beneath the green waves with their crests of foam, and for a moment Andy anxiously watched for his brother. Then he saw him reappear, and strike out strongly toward the other youth. Frank was an excellent swimmer.

“That’s the way to do it!” murmured Andy admiringly. “If anybody can save him, Frank can.”

The younger lad was braced against the tiller, standing in a slanting position, his feet planted firmly in the cockpit, while he payed out the rope, one end of which was about Frank’s waist, and the other made fast to a deck cleat.